Say goodbye to the golden rule


  • July 18, 2019
  • /   Stephana Gaudin
  • /   training-development
Team Communication
As a new employee at Studer Community Institute, I was instructed to take a survey that would help identify my strengths. I had taken personality profiles at jobs before, and while it was good to know that everyone was different, I didn’t see much value after the initial results presentation. The teams I worked with were never given the tools to implement any change based on the information we received. 

This time, things were different. 

I took this MBS survey and was honestly shocked at the results. In just about 10 minutes my strengths had been accurately identified. I was then given the results of my coworkers. I received really valuable information on how to appropriately communicate with my team members. I’ve been with SCI for a few months now, and I still refer back to the MBS results frequently to ensure I’m focusing on what matters to each member of my team to help build and improve our relationships.

Why the profile report matters
Due to my particular style, I give (and expect) lots of details when communicating with others. I like to double check and confirm to ensure everyone is on the same page. I also work well on my own and at my own pace.

Once I learned about MBS, however, I realized that not everyone likes the level of detail that I prefer. Most people, in fact, want the rough outline and then they take it from there. While I don’t like to be rushed at the last minute (who does?), I generally stay cool under that kind of pressure. The complete OPPOSITE of people I have worked with. 

This difference in temperament can be brought to light with the completion of an MBS profile. Once completed, you can identify others’ strengths and use that to become a more cohesive team. Successful teamwork doesn't just happen. Teamwork is the result of positive working relationships. If people are the most valuable resource of your organization, then positive working relationships are vital to success. 


Better communication means better results
Think of all the time that has been wasted at your office. Let’s use my strengths as an example. I need lots of detail before starting a project. Imagine my supervisor gives me the bare minimum and says, “Please complete by Friday.” While someone else might take this level of information and hit the ground running, I am focused on getting things done correctly so I will stress over the information I’m missing. I go back to my supervisor (probably more than once) to make sure I have all the details correct so I don’t make a mistake. 

Imagine if instead my supervisor laid out the details of what was expected in an email with bullets and said they were available to answer any questions. How much more comfortable would I feel in this situation? Since I have experienced both of these scenarios, I can tell you that I not only feel more comfortable in the second scenario, but I produce better results in less time. 

Using MBS with your team can:
Help streamline more effective communication
Increase productivity
Reduce costly turnover
Teach employees and coworkers how to support each other

What makes MBS unique
Management By Strengths (MBS) is a program designed to help companies increase productivity and improve customer satisfaction and employee morale through an improved understanding of how to work more effectively together. By better understanding people’s differing communication and decision-making styles, you can more efficiently achieve your goals. 

Implementation of the Management By Strengths program consists of three steps:
1. Identification: Identify traits by completing the MBS Survey
2. Understanding: Understanding your own and others’ traits through training 
3. Application: Apply skills and begin improving professional and personal relationships

Students of MBS immediately gain a better appreciation of those around them due to improved understanding, which improves communication and increases productivity and creativity. The Management By Strengths program creates genuine enthusiasm, understanding and cooperation among people.

Through Studer Community Institute’s Custom Training, your team can have an on-site Management By Strengths session to study the actual strengths of each individual, rather than abstract concepts or psychological theories. 

If you’re interested in improving your team’s communication and effectiveness, contact Rachael Gillette at [email protected]. 

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